Thursday, Dec. 29, 2005 - 5:47 a.m.

Grandmother still improving

Tarik's grandmother continues to improve. They took her breathing tube out and she is awake and speaking, but still on pain meds. It is my understanding however, that she has not been told of the gravity of her situation: "Hey Grandma! You're most likely going to die in the next 90 days! Merry Christmas!" I guess you can see why they might be keeping that bit of information from her. They have moved her to another room that is out of neuro-ICU, but is I beleive to be sterile. They are most worried about pneumonia setting in. You never know though. She could be in that 10% that makes it and comes out of this fine. I say fine, but what I really mean is alive and no permanent damage. I would love to go and visit her right now, but with the torrent of snot that is running out of my nose and Travis' nose, I don't think they would let us in the front door. We would just be inviting disaster along with us.

Tarik, Travis and I will be heading up to Dallas for the New Year's weekend for a second Christmas with my family. My parents have not seen Travis since.... since.... I can't even remember. And my sister has not seen him since last Christmas. He sure has changed since then. From being strictly breast fed a year ago, he is now eating breakfast tacos and spaghetti. That's my little guy! They really do grow up so fast. I just hope I don't miss it.

Christmas song virus du jour: "The Twelve Days of Christmas"

Useless trivia du jour: While this song most likely originated in the 15th or 16th centuries, the 21st century cost of the items would be as follows:

Cost
As a tongue-in-cheek economic indicator, each year economists will compute the cost for all the gifts mentioned in the song. For 2005, the survey by PNC Advisors showed a 9.50% increase over 2004. It breaks down to:

One Partridge in a Pear Tree: $104.99 ($15.00 Partridge, $89.99 Pear Tree)

Two Turtle Doves: $40.00 ($20.00 each)

Three French Hens: $45.00 ($15.00 each)

Four Calling Birds: $399.96 ($99.99 each)

Five Gold Rings: $325.00 ($65.00 each)

Six Geese-a-Laying: $300.00 ($50.00 each)

Seven Swans-a-Swimming: $4,200.00 ($600.00 each)

Eight Maids-a-Milking: $41.20 ($5.15 each)

Nine Ladies Dancing: $4,576.14 ($508.46 each)

10 Lords-a-Leaping: $4,039.08 ($403.91 each)

11 Pipers Piping: $2,053.20 ($186.66 each)

12 Drummers Drumming: $2,224.30 ($185.36 each)

Total Christmas Price Index: $18,348.87

"Core" index, excluding swans: $14,148.87
True cost of Christmas in song: $72,608.02 (including 364 total gifts)